Supporting running in the metro Richmond area
Myrtle Beach Marathon cancelled
Well, I am sitting in my motel room in Myrtle Beach, SC. The marathon was cancelled last night because of snow. I am not sure how many of us from Richmond are here but know of at least 6. Yes, I would say that each of us is dealing with mixed emotions and disappointment.
My question is: do any of you know of a marathon in February/March that is on Saturday and not already full??
Thanks,
Vera Jones
Views: 17
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jay on -
The National marathon and Half marathon in DC on 3/20 appears not to be sold out yet.
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Permalink Reply by Gary Hearn on -
The best thing is to view the link below to find one that fits your schedule:
http://www.marathonguide.com/races/races.cfm
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Permalink Reply by David Klisz on -
I'll second the marathon guide idea.
I recommend the B&A (Baltimore and Annapolis) Trail Marathon in Annapolis, MD. It's an asphalt "rails to trails" surface not dirt or roots. It's in March and if you're having a bad race, you can choose to stop at the halfway mark and get an official finishing time (it was that way a few years ago).
I'd skip the Lower Potomac River Marathon in Piney Point, MD. While the free meal at the end is nice, there are strict rules regarding listening devices. You'll get disqualified. Plus, the second half of the course has awful scenery.
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Permalink Reply by Gary Hearn on
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David opines "I recommend the B&A (Baltimore and Annapolis) Trail Marathon in Annapolis, MD."
I immediately thought of that as well, but it is on a Sunday (March 7) and Vera stated she needed a Saturday race.
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Permalink Reply by Don Garber on -
I would disageee with the Lower Potomac comment. I was up there a couple years ago.
If you want a small race and do not need crowds/bands to motivate you, I thought it was a decent race..
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Permalink Reply by Daniel Silva on
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March 20 in High Point, NC - The North Carolina Marathon.
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Permalink Reply by Vera Jones on -
I am so grateful for each response. I will definitely file these away as well as the Marathon Guide.
Several hundred "renegade" runners including myself, ran the marathon today. There was no official time, no help on the course, no professional photo finish. But they did give us our finishers' metals, still had the post race events of fire works etc. My body was so geared to run this and I am so glad I did. Families and just people were out providing water and other support. It was rather like a small, low key race. Such kindness was shown it was amazing.
It was a new course (which I especially liked) and the expo and gifts they gave us before were excellent. We got a super nice running bag, a tech shirt, a tech hat, and a metal (for those going "green") water bottle among other things. The race officials are now trying to figure out how to appease over 6000 runners. I would not want to be in their shoes but do not think anything extra should be done. They did not order the snow and it has been decades that snow came to this city. (Average temp for this race is 61 degrees.) Dealing with weather is a part of the sport.
Thanks again for your help. We have a super running community and running club!!!
Vera
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Permalink Reply by Kyle Beddoes on
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I was at Myrtle Beach too. I was disappointed when they cancelled the race, but I went there to run a marathon, so I ran the course Saturday morning. It was great to see the other "renegade" runners out there, and I'm curious as to how many others ran the full marathon. I know that once I got past Ocean Drive, I only saw maybe 4 or 5 runners from mile 18 to the finish, but maybe that's because I'm not very fast. I also took a wrong turn at one point that added 1/2 a mile to my course and put me on the U.S. 17 Bypass (55-mph six lane highway w/ no sidewalk). That wasn't too fun. My parents, wife, son and cousin were there and provided a mobile cheering section during the second half - I saw them about every 2 miles from 18 onward and they gave me water. They were also there at the finish and even held up a tape for me as I crossed it! Even better, I PR'd with a 4:29:57 for the first 26.22 miles of my run (I'm counting that as my marathon time) and a total 4:35:17 for the 26.73 miles that I actually ran, thanks to the wrong turn. I'm very glad I did it, but I wouldn't want to go through that again.
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Permalink Reply by Martha Hodges on
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I, too, was in Myrtle Beach, but only to run the half. I was staying in a hotel on Ocean Blvd, right on the course, so I ran about 11 miles, from my hotel to the turn around and back. There were lots of runners out on the course, and one woman I ran with said that there is a marathon in Wrightsville Beach sometime in the next few weeks that isn't full.
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Permalink Reply by Don Garber on
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If you don't want an "official" marathon, I received this from a friend in Rocky Mount
Announcing the 3rd Annual Rocky Mount Marathon / 50k / 1/2 Marathon - FA-Style
The runs will be held concurrently at 8 am Saturday, February 20th starting and ending at the tennis court parking lot on River Drive in Rocky Mount at Sunset Park.
The course is 100% on the roads and the Tar River Trail (blacktop).
In view of the cancelations of several races recently (the Sweetheart 5k and the Myrtle Beach Marathon and 1/2 Marathon among others), we have decided to have a race "FA-style." For those not familiar with a FA-style race (FA stands for "Fat Ass"). A "FA run" is a run with no timing, no aid stations or support, no certified course, no traffic control, no awards, no medal . . . no nothing! But no entry fees either!! Essentially, its a bunch of folks just getting together and running for the fun of running!
We just ask three things . . .
please let us know your coming
we will have a waiver for you to sign before we start
bring a snack we can all share . . . not much . . . and don't go to a lot of trouble. We'll use a park table under the shelter near the "frogs" and use that as a makeshift un-manned aid station. You will pass this station at ~ mile 6 and then again at 13.1. Don't leave anything there that you would be upset to lose if it were stolen . . . no one will be watching stuff!)
We plan to loosely follow the old Rocky Mount Half-Marathon / 5k courses. Detailed turn sheets will be available at the start and the course is marked with blue arrows sprayed on the roads.
While we do HOPE to have gatorade available at the start/finish and at the 9 mile point, this might not work out, so please come expecting to provide and carry your own fluids. As the course is a figure 8 type course, you will pass your car twice. Plus we pass a convenience store just before the start / finish / mid-point.
Directions
From the West
Take US 64 East to Rocky Mount
Take exit 467 Sunset Ave
Go to second light and turn LEFT onto Sunset Dr.
Cross US 301 Business
Cross Tar River
Take first road (no light!) on left (River Dr).
Parking lot is on left about 1/4 mile. If that lot is full, please turn right onto N Taylor Street. You can park along the first road on left
From the North or South
I-95
Take Exit 138 - Go East on US 64
Follow above directions
Due to the super short notice, I want to get this e-mail out . . .but I have not yet actually followed these directions! I'll do that tomorrow and send out revised directions if necessary.
Please feel free to pass this along to other that might want to attend.
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